pappabearbooks Chapter 60 The Scenery Inside the Window: A Spring Breeze Swaying, Outside the Window, Xu Longxiang:
Chapter 60 The Scenery Inside the Window: A Spring Breeze Swaying, Outside the Window, Xu Longxiang:
Jiang Qingxue suddenly turned her head and looked out the window.
The windows of Shuyingzhai are carved wooden windows covered with light blue paper.
At that moment, a blurry figure was projected onto the window paper.
The shadow was very faint, almost blending into the night. If she hadn't been looking out the window the whole time, she wouldn't have noticed it at all.
But Jiang Qingxue recognized it.
That was the silhouette she had seen since childhood, the image etched into her very bones.
Xu Longxiang!
He... he actually came!
Jiang Qingxue's heart suddenly pounded wildly, almost as if it would jump out of her chest.
She instinctively wanted to rush over and open the window, but reason held her back.
This is Cuiwei Garden, Qin Mu's temporary palace. There are countless imperial guards and Dragon Shadow Guards patrolling and guarding outside.
How did Xu Longxiang get in? What if he's discovered...?
She bit her lip hard, forcing herself to calm down, and then tiptoed to the window.
Without opening the window, but through the paper window, he asked in a breathy voice:
"Who?"
Outside the window, a familiar voice, one that broke her heart, came, also spoken in a very low voice:
"Qingxue, it's me."
It's really him!
Jiang Qingxue's tears welled up instantly, blurring her vision.
She reached out her trembling hand, wanting to push open the window, but her hand froze in mid-air before she pulled it back.
Do not open the windows.
Opening a window will produce sound, light, and attract attention.
She could only hear his voice and imagine his appearance through this thin layer of window paper.
"You... why are you here? It's too dangerous here..." Her voice was choked with sobs.
"I had to come." Xu Longxiang's voice came through the window paper, somewhat muffled, but every word was clear, "Qingxue, I'm sorry... I've made you suffer."
These words were like a key, unlocking the floodgates of all of Jiang Qingxue's pretense.
Tears streamed down her face. She covered her mouth to stifle her sobs, her shoulders trembling violently.
Wronged……
It's more than just feeling wronged.
It was humiliation, it was despair, it was worse than death.
But she couldn't say it.
She could only shake her head, even though she knew he couldn't see her:
"I...I'm fine. You should leave quickly, it's too dangerous here..."
"Qingxue, listen to me."
Xu Longxiang's voice grew closer, as if he were pressed against the window paper.
"I witnessed everything that happened yesterday. Qin Mu... is more terrifying than we imagined. I need to know more about him... any information could determine our success or failure."
He slipped a letter through the crack in the window.
The letter paper was very thin and rolled into a small roll.
Jiang Qingxue took it with trembling hands, holding the paper roll in her palm; it still carried the warmth of his fingertips.
"besides,"
Xu Longxiang paused, his voice filled with unprecedented tenderness and determination, "Qingxue, you must remember, no matter what happens, no matter what your identity is now, you will always be my Qingxue. Wait for me... wait for me to succeed, I will definitely bring you out. At that time, this world will be yours."
He had made this promise countless times.
But this time, Jiang Qingxue only felt sorrow upon hearing it.
The world...
She doesn't care about the world.
All she cared about was that he was safe and sound, and that they could go back to how things were before.
But she knew there was no going back.
From the moment he sent her to the palace, there was no going back.
"Brother Longxiang..." she choked up.
There was a moment of silence outside the window.
Then, Xu Longxiang's voice rang out again, even deeper:
"Take care of yourself. Burn this letter after you finish reading it. I will contact you again."
"Wait!" Jiang Qingxue said urgently, "I...I have something to tell you..."
She had a lot to say.
I wanted to talk about her fear in the palace, about Qin Mu's unfathomable nature, about how she was about to reach her breaking point...
But when the words reached his lips, he couldn't utter a single one.
What are you saying?
Should he abandon the plan? Should he take her away?
It's impossible.
They've already embarked on this path of no return, and they have no choice but to grit their teeth and keep going.
"Qingxue," Xu Longxiang's voice was filled with pain, "I understand. Just bear with it a little longer, it won't be long."
After he finished speaking, the shadow outside the window slowly receded and disappeared.
Jiang Qingxue pressed her face against the window paper, her eyes blurred with tears as she watched the shadow disappear into the night until it was no longer visible.
She stood there like that for a very, very long time.
It wasn't until the night breeze blew in through the cracks in the window, bringing a touch of coolness, that she snapped back to reality.
Wiping away her tears, she walked to the candlestick and unfolded the letter.
The letter was very short, only a few lines long, and the handwriting was Xu Longxiang's distinctive, vigorous style:
"Qingxue, my beloved: "
See the word as the face.
The humiliation suffered in broad daylight is deeply painful. Yet, those who achieve great things can endure what ordinary people cannot. Now that you are a concubine, you have the advantage of proximity. You should carefully investigate Qin Mu's true strength and weaknesses. Does he have any powerful martial arts masters protecting him? Who in the court is secretly helping him? Can you maintain contact with Li Yang, Xi Liang, and Bei Mang?
Your safety is of paramount importance. Be cautious in all things and protect yourself.
When I conquer the imperial city, I will present you with the vast land as my dowry, and you will be adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robes.
I will not let this life down.
"Dragon and Elephant Characters"
Every word felt like a needle piercing Jiang Qingxue's heart.
Especially the last line, "I will never let you down in this life," brought tears that she had managed to hold back to flowing again.
Not failing...
How can we avoid being in debt?
She was no longer a virgin; she had become Qin Mu's concubine, and was now tainted with an indelible stain in this deep palace.
Even if he succeeds in the future and takes her away, how could she be worthy of his "phoenix coronet and embroidered robe"?
Jiang Qingxue shook her head with a wry smile and held the letter up to the candlelight.
The flames licked at the corner of the paper, spreading rapidly and turning the words to ashes in the blink of an eye.
She watched the ashes fall, as if watching her own heart wither away.
Then, she walked to the desk, spread out a sheet of plain paper, and dipped her brush in ink.
She wanted to tell him everything she knew.
Qin Mu's unfathomable strength, those ghostly Dragon Shadow Guards, his absolute control over the Azure Mist Sword Sect, and... what he did today at the Sword Tomb.
She wrote quickly, her handwriting was a bit messy, but every sentence was crucial.
After finishing writing, she folded the letter into a small square, preparing to find a place to hide it and pass it on when the opportunity arose.
"Squeak."
The door was pushed open.
Jiang Qingxue froze, nearly dropping the letter in her hand.
She turned her head sharply and saw Qin Mu walking in slowly.
He was still wearing that moon-white casual robe, his hair loosely draped over his shoulders, clearly having just come from his bedchamber and preparing to retire for the night.
A lazy smile graced his face, but his eyes were clear as a mirror.
"My beloved concubine is still awake?"
Qin Mu's voice was gentle, but to Jiang Qingxue it sounded like a thunderclap.
Almost instinctively, she hid the letter behind her back, but then realized that the action was too suspicious. She forced herself to remain calm and put her hand in front of her, her fingers gripping the letter tightly, her palms instantly sweating.
"Your Majesty..." She hurriedly stood up, wanting to kneel and pay her respects, but because she moved too quickly, her knee hit the corner of the table, causing her to gasp in pain.
Qin Mu stepped forward and reached out to support her:
"My beloved concubine, there's no need for such formalities."
His hands were warm and strong, supporting her arm and forcing her to stand up straight.
The two were very close, and Jiang Qingxue could smell the faint scent of ambergris on him, mixed with a cool masculine aroma.
The scent made her stiffen, and those unbearable nights involuntarily surfaced in her mind.
"I noticed the light was still on in your room, so I came to check on you." Qin Mu's gaze swept across the desk, noticing the open sheet of paper and the still-wet ink on the brush. He smiled slightly, "My beloved concubine is writing?"
"Yes, yes..." Jiang Qingxue's voice trembled, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty couldn't sleep, so I just wrote some words to calm my mind."
"Oh?" Qin Mu walked to the desk and looked down at the plain paper.
The note was blank.
The letter Jiang Qingxue had just written was now clutched tightly in her hand and hidden in her sleeve.
Qin Mu reached out, his fingertips brushing across the blank surface of the paper, as if admiring a famous painting:
"I have seen your calligraphy, my beloved consort; it is elegant and graceful, possessing a remarkable spirit. Why are you not writing today?"
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty was just about to write when Your Majesty arrived." Jiang Qingxue forced herself to remain calm and managed a smile. "Your Majesty, has come so late at night because you have some instructions?"
Qin Mu turned around and looked at her.
In the candlelight, she wore a moon-white nightgown with a light blue gauze overlay, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, which made her face appear even paler and thinner.
Especially her eyes, which were red-rimmed and still had wet tears on her eyelashes, clearly she had just been crying.
"My beloved concubine is crying?" Qin Mu reached out and gently brushed his fingertips across the corner of her eye.
The movements were gentle, yet they sent chills down Jiang Qingxue's spine.
"N-nothing..." She instinctively turned her head away, "It's just... my eyes are a little sore..."
"Is that so?" Qin Mu smiled, withdrew his hand, put it behind his back, and strolled to the window. "Tomorrow is the official enthronement ceremony of the new sect leader. After I attend, I will set off back to the capital. Is there anything my beloved concubine would like to buy or see? Although Linshan County is not as prosperous as the capital, it has its own unique features."
Jiang Qingxue had no time to care about any of that; her entire focus was on the letter hidden in her sleeve, hoping that Qin Mu would leave soon.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty has no need for anything. I leave everything to Your Majesty's arrangements."
"Hmm." Qin Mu nodded, but his gaze fell on the window.
That window was tightly shut.
But at the bottom right corner of the window paper, there was a very fine crease, as if something had just gently bumped against it from the outside.
A faint smile flickered in Qin Mu's eyes as he turned and walked back to Jiang Qingxue:
"Speaking of which, I've been busy with the Sword Sect's affairs these past few days, and have neglected my beloved consort. Seeing her red eyes, could it be that she's upset that I haven't come to favor her?"
Jiang Qingxue was taken aback.
These tears weren't because of that at all!
But she dared not explain at that moment, and could only follow his words, lowering her head and feigning shyness:
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs, how could I dare..."
Before she could finish speaking, Qin Mu suddenly reached out and put his arm around her waist.
The movements were natural, yet the force was irresistible.
Jiang Qingxue froze, and he pulled her into his arms.
Their bodies were pressed close together, and she could clearly feel the warmth of his chest and hear his steady, powerful heartbeat.
This intimate gesture left her mind blank for a moment.
"Since my beloved consort misses me so much," Qin Mu lowered his head and whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe, "then I will stay here tonight."
Jiang Qingxue was struck dumb!
Now?!
Xu Longxiang might not have gone far! He might still be outside! He might...
"Your Majesty..." Her voice trembled, almost incoherent, "Today...today I am not feeling well...another day...another day, would that be alright?"
"Unwell?" Qin Mu raised an eyebrow, lifting her chin with his other hand to force her to look at him. "My beloved consort seems to be in relatively good health. Could it be... that you are unwilling to serve me?"
His eyes were deep and unfathomable, as if he could see through all her thoughts.
Jiang Qingxue's heart was pounding so hard she felt like she was suffocating.
She knew she couldn't refuse anymore.
Refusing again will only arouse suspicion.
But... Xu Longxiang...
She instinctively looked towards the window.
Outside that window, perhaps still stands the person she longs for.
But at this moment, she was being held in the arms of another man, and was about to...
Humiliation, pain, despair... a flood of emotions surged up, almost overwhelming her.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty dare not." She closed her eyes, tears seeping from between her eyelashes, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is willing to serve you."
She herself felt disgusted when she said those words.
Qin Mu smiled.
Her smile was gentle, but it didn't reach her eyes.
He lowered his head and kissed her forehead:
"My beloved concubine is so obedient."
Then, he picked her up horizontally.
Jiang Qingxue exclaimed in surprise and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
This movement caused the letter in her sleeve to slip silently and fall into the shadows under the desk.
She was completely unaware.
Qin Mu carried her and walked towards the canopy bed in the inner room.
The bed curtains were made of light blue soft gauze, and were now half-drawn, appearing like a hazy mist in the candlelight.
He placed her on the bed, his movements neither gentle nor rough.
Jiang Qingxue lay on the brocade quilt, her body stiff as a piece of wood, her eyes fixed on the top of the tent, not daring to look at him.
She could feel Qin Mu's hands untying her belt.
The pajamas have very thin straps; they open easily with a single pull.
The moon-white silk robe slipped down, revealing an apricot-colored bodice and snow-white skin underneath.
The night breeze slipped in through the cracks in the window, blowing against her bare shoulders and sending a shiver down her spine.
It wasn't the cold, it was the fear.
Qin Mu leaned down, casting a shadow over him.
His presence completely enveloped her, and his deep eyes, in the dim light, resembled those of a predatory beast.
"My beloved," he whispered, stroking her cheek with his fingers, "relax. I don't eat people."
Jiang Qingxue bit her lip so hard it almost bled.
How does she relax?
There might be someone watching outside the window!
The person she loves most might be listening to what's going on here!
This is even more cruel than being publicly executed by slow slicing!
Qin Mu seemed unconcerned by her stiffness, and lowered his head to kiss the side of her neck.
Warm, moist, and with an irresistible aggressiveness.
Jiang Qingxue trembled and instinctively tried to push him away, but her hand fell limply to the side halfway up.
It cannot be pushed.
Once it's pushed, that's it.
She closed her eyes, letting the tears fall silently into her hair.
Nothing more...
So be it.
Anyway... it's been dirty for a long time.
Anyway... there's no going back.
Anyway... he won't want her anymore.
She was like a soulless puppet, completely at Qin Mu's mercy.
Their clothes were removed, and the brocade curtains fell.
The candlelight flickered outside the tent, casting two overlapping shadows on the curtains, swaying and undulating.
Everything was magnified, exceptionally clear in the quiet night.
Jiang Qingxue buried her face in the pillow and bit the corner of the blanket tightly to keep herself from making a sound.
But the body's reactions don't lie.
She hated this body, hated its betrayal, hated its weakness.
She hated the man on top of her even more.
I hate everything about him.
Meanwhile, outside Shuyingzhai.
A dark figure was hidden in the shadow of the pillars, like a frozen statue.
Xu Longxiang did not leave.
After delivering the letter, he intended to leave immediately, but for some inexplicable reason, he turned back.
He wanted to see her again, even if it was just through the paper window, to see her shadow.
Then, he heard the door open and Qin Mu's voice.